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 marjane satrapi
 to access audio and video on collective you need real player.Graphic images from Iran. It’s an iconic self-portrait. Marjane Satrapi’s drawing of a scowling, headscarfed 10-year-old on the cover of Persepolis symbolises her account of a childhood stolen by the Iranian revolution almost as vividly as Art Spiegelman’s blank-faced mice represented the Holocaust in Maus. But just as Spiegelman’s fame as “the Maus guy” soon overshadowed his other achievements — including inventing both Raw magazine and the Garbage Pail Kids — to view the two volumes of Persepolis merely as a survivor’s testimony does a great disservice to Satrapi’s talents. Luckily her latest book, Chicken With Plums, looks set to see the full-sized artist and storyteller emerge from behind that glum little girl.  Like the wry look at the love-lives of Satrapi’s female relatives in Persepolis’ successor, Embroideries, Chicken With Plums features real-life characters, recounting the death in 1958 of Satrapi’s great-uncle, renowned musician Nasser Ali Khan. Yet Ali Khan’s final days read like a tale from the pages of 1001 Arabian Nights: after his beloved tar (a lute-like instrument) is broken, he searches fruitlessly for a replacement before retiring to his bed to die. Having lost all pleasure in life — even the titular dish can’t restore his will to live — his last eight days are haunted by memories and visions, including the Angel of Death and a voluptuous Sophia Loren.  Life differing from fairytales, however, Satrapi shows the effect that Ali Khan’s decision has on those around him, from his longsuffering wife to an unfavoured but devoted son. The “tortured artist” emerges as a melancholy, distracted man prone to vanity, his humanity making the revelation of the key to his decline all the more poignant. As ever, Satrapi’s woodcut-like black-and-white art conveys subtleties of emotion with striking simplicity: a scene where Ali Khan plays his new tar shows excitement collapsing into disappointment and grief within five small panels. These days Marjane Satrapi lives in Paris and Persepolis is currently in production as an animated film. Its release will doubtless propel her back into the spotlight as a spokesperson on Iran, women, headscarves… everything except her cartooning. Until then, enjoy Chicken With Plums as a full-flavoured taste of one woman’s talents.
Abi Bliss
Marjane Satrapi will be in conversation with Shappi Khorsandi at the ICA, London, on 20 November 06. Chicken With Plums, out now published by Jonathan Cape.
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comment by rowan
Dec 6, 2006
The latest is definitely on a theme, but still an excellent and beautiful read in my opinion.
comment by SmoothBob
Dec 6, 2006
I've just finished reading her 1st 2 books and have to say they are beutiful, insiteful an a wonderfull way of telling a story that would normally be something maybe just kept in the family...Def has me looking for Chicken an Plums!!
comment by Daniel_Donkey_Head
Nov 6, 2006
It seems like Satrapi is gaining more and more recognition, which is great, as we need more and more of these great creators who can cross-over into the 'mainstream' fiction audience....there are still loads of overlooked 'alternative' graphic novel creators who deserve wider readership.
comment by rivkaness
Oct 24, 2006
thank you....
comment by ms_lisa_
Oct 22, 2006
You can buy it from Amazon.com, I've just had a look.
comment by rivkaness
Oct 21, 2006
i would like to have a book or copy so i can examine the images.... and perhaps compare it to Maus... dose any one know if this is available, esp in the US?
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